Not every stretch of a 162-game season will look pretty. The Philadelphia Phillies still own the best record in baseball, but they’ve dropped three consecutive series wrapped around the All-Star Break in lackluster fashion.
Rob Thomson voices confidence in his players persistently. He didn’t sound the alarms after the Phillies dropped the series finale at Target Field on Wednesday.
“I think we’re just going through a down stretch right now with our offense a little bit and certainly with throwing strikes with our bullpen. These guys are talented enough. I have no worries that they’re not going to come out of it.” -Rob Thomson (via NBC Sports Philadelphia)
Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Friday 7/19: Loss 8-7
- Saturday 7/20: Loss 4-1
- Sunday 7/21: Win 6-0
Phillies vs. Minnesota Twins
- Monday 7/22: Loss 7-2
- Tuesday 7/23: Win 3-0
- Wednesday 7/24: Loss 5-4
All stats as of the beginning of play on July 25
Bullpen Suddenly Struggling
A bullpen loaded with power arms and nasty stuff has hit a serious speed bump. They’ve lacked command of the pitches that have helped them establish reputations as high-leverage relievers capable of erasing opposing hitters.
Jose Alvarado has struggled to stay in the strike zone. He took the loss in Pittsburgh in the first game out of the break and set a tense mood for the remainder of the series.
Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering posted microscopic ERAs during the first half of the season. They’ve simultaneously hit their roughest patches of 2024.
Thomson decided on using Gregory Soto in higher-leverage situations after his recent 15-game hot streak with only one earned run. The Dominican fireballer threw nine pitches in Tuesday’s matchup in Minnesota. Only two were strikes, and one flew past J.T. Realmuto for a wild pitch.
He somehow escaped a bases loaded jam, but Soto wasn’t so fortunate in his next opportunity. He entered the ninth inning of a tie game on Wednesday and plunked the leadoff man.
The runner moved up on a wild pitch and eventually scored the series-clinching run for the Twins.
Thomson spoke on July 20 about establishing a bullpen hierarchy before Red October.
“I think that’s a flowing thing all throughout the year because guys get hot (and) guys get cold. You’re constantly sort of feeling that out and trying to make sure that you put guys in the right spot where they’re going to be successful or where you think they’re going to be successful and making sure you’re not overusing guys or underusing guys. It’s a constant battle just to try to create that balance.” -Rob Thomson
MLB Trade Deadline Needs
Dave Dombrowski sees a World Series contender on the diamond at Citizens Bank Park. He’ll recognize the need to strike during this window of opportunity with complementary additions ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline on July 30.
Jayson Stark joined The Best Show Ever less than one week before the deadline to discuss Dombrowski’s strategy.
“The only thing that he’s shopping for now is difference-makers. Whatever he does, whether it’s one move or two moves or three, it has to be something that makes them better and more dangerous in October.” –Jayson Stark
The conversation has centered around the need for a right-handed platoon outfielder who spells Brandon Marsh against left-handed pitching. Lane Thomas, Mark Canha, and Taylor Ward look like logical fits.
A bigger need might’ve already presented itself given the bullpen’s recent slump.
“He knows how good they are. Now, it’s time to make sure all the pieces fit together. My sense is the top of their shopping list would be a big bullpen arm.” -Jayson Stark
He mentioned Kyle Finnegan of the Washington Nationals, Tanner Scott of the Miami Marlins, and Carlos Estevez of the Los Angeles Angels as possible targets.
The Phillies have an excellent bullpen with relievers capable of shutting down opposing hitters in Red October. However, one arm at the back end could help the rest of the pieces fall into place for a unit that can carry them to a World Series.
